Cities in the South and Southwest have eased zoning rules with parking space mandates in recent years to allow developers to build new housing with less parking.
Building large-scale residential developments that reduce or eliminate parking yields walkable neighborhoods that appeal to a significantly sized cohort of renters, according to a report by Bloomberg. Not having to build parking structures greatly reduces the cost of such projects. An estimate of the median cost of a parking structure in the U.S. in 2021 was $25,700 per space.
Some developers say they have passed the cost savings on to renters. One told Bloomberg that they are offering apartments at $100 to $200 below the cost of comparable units offered by competitors.
New transportation options like ride-hailing services and electric bikes and e-scooters along with cities’ embrace of paths and bike lanes have made car-free living more feasible even in cities designed with widespread car ownership in mind. Higher sticker prices on cars and the high cost of car ownership generally have also steered renters away from automobile ownership.
Grubb Properties has noted a marked decline in car usage among their renters. In its Link sub-brand of multifamily projects launched in 2013, the number of car spots utilized per bedroom has dropped from 1.4 to 0.7 over the last 10 years.
Related Stories
| Jul 20, 2012
2012 Giants 300 Special Report
Ranking the leading firms in Architecture, Engineering, and Construction.
| Jul 19, 2012
Rental market pushing service, ‘community’
The Top 25 Giants 300 AEC firms in the Multifamily Sector keep four-legged tenants in mind.
| Jul 9, 2012
Modular Construction Delivers Model for New York Housing in Record Time
A 65-unit supportive housing facility in Brooklyn, N.Y., was completed in record time using modular construction with six stories set in just 12 days.
| Jul 9, 2012
Oakdale, Calif., Heritage Oaks Senior Apartments opens
New complex highlights senior preferences for amenities.
| Jun 1, 2012
New BD+C University Course on Insulated Metal Panels available
By completing this course, you earn 1.0 HSW/SD AIA Learning Units.
| May 31, 2012
2011 Reconstruction Awards Profile: Ka Makani Community Center
An abandoned historic structure gains a new life as the focal point of a legendary military district in Hawaii.
| May 29, 2012
Reconstruction Awards Entry Information
Download a PDF of the Entry Information at the bottom of this page.
| May 24, 2012
2012 Reconstruction Awards Entry Form
Download a PDF of the Entry Form at the bottom of this page.
| May 2, 2012
Building Team completes two additions at UCLA
New student housing buildings are part of UCLA’s Northwest Campus Student Housing In-Fill Project.
